Baldwin Times

The Coastal Alabama Community College Sun Chief Baseball Program recently hosted the first annual "Go Gold" Fall Tournament on the college's Bay Minette campus. The tournament, held Oct. 5-7, raised money and awareness for childhood cancer, with all proceeds going to the Baldwin County-based Berry Strong Foundation, which provides support for Childhood Cancer research.  

 

"Our program is excited to partner with the Berry Strong Foundation for this event," said Head Baseball Coach Brent Shelton. "On behalf of myself, my staff and players, we look forward to competing against some of the best JUCO teams in the southeast to honor Caroline Berry and the foundation her parents have built." 

 

The Berry Strong Foundation was established in memory of 16-year-old Caroline Berry, from Spanish Fort, and her brave fight against childhood cancer. Caroline passed away in 2018. The foundation's mission is to fund promising childhood cancer research, raise awareness and to help support local children and families that are battling this horrible disease.   

 

"We are humbled to partner with Coastal Alabama Sun Chief Baseball and their Go Gold Tournament for Childhood Cancer," said Caroline's mother, Jennifer Berry, the Berry Strong Foundation Director. "We are so thankful for their support of our mission."  

 

Proceeds from this tournament will go directly to the Berry Strong Hero Fund through the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which is dedicated to fund the most promising childhood cancer research.  

 

As part of the tournament, 7-year-old Cullen McKinney and his family were invited to participate, with Cullen throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The Robertsdale native recently completed chemotherapy as part of his battle against leukemia. During the Oct. 7 doubleheader, Cullen and his big brother Eli served as batboys for the Sun Chiefs.  

 

"We were very excited to have the opportunity to host this inaugural event," said Coastal Alabama Community College Athletic Director Daniel Head. "Coach Shelton and his staff, along with the Berry Strong Foundation, worked very hard to host these 12 college baseball teams on the Bay Minette campus over three days to help raise money and awareness for childhood cancer." 

Original source can be found here.